Short/Intense but interesting game...

[hettingerjm]

For a while I was playing way too conservative... And since I've began trying to be more aggressive without being too greedy, I've jumped 4 ranks without much study. Based on this game I think I am getting a little too greedy for my beginner lack of knowledge of good shape, and my reading ability? I won, but it was very close and I'm pretty sure many of you could pick apart my weaknesses in shape.

I was white. Any thoughts? (Move 37 is where the fun starts...)

http://files.gokgs.com/games/2012/4/18/Megajohn-maishiyao.sgf

[Joaz Banbeck]

14: This is no good for you. You are forcing hi – if he responds – to take 6th rank territory. See http://senseis.xmp.net/?PushingTheCartFromBehind.
Also, this is a basic joseki. The shape move is to extend southward along the third rank. See http://senseis.xmp.net/?AttachExtendJoseki

16: You have a shimari in the upper corner that wants an extension. If you pincer, your stone will have two purposes: an extension from the top left and a pincer to the lower left.

[hettingerjm]

Great points thank you,

[Loons]

: Good

: Black is sort-of-owing a move on top himself, I think your stones are too thick to warrant playing this. I like the look of L3 instead.

: I think I would still just B4, it is regrettable black got a double-wing on his shimari.

: Good, black left his stone vulnerable to pincering. However I'd be super-nervous about my two lonely corner stones.

: Good, though this looks fiddly. I guess white can aim at the weird-looking E6 stones and also an invasion c. M17. I'd think of playing 40 at F12 though. Caps, knights moves etc.

(etc) : Seems like you're trying too hard to kill.

[hettingerjm]

Thank you... I also got pm'd an sgf where someone showed me all the weakness in my shape when I tried too hard to kill. Very eye opening.

For some reason I have trouble finding the balance between healthy aggressiveness and being too passive. I tend to do extremes.